LIVE UPDATES | Thousands still without power, Storm Warning expired

March indeed came in 'like a lion' in Northeast Ohio as a Winter Storm Warning moved in Thursday night.

The Winter Storm Warning for Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga counties expired at noon Friday, but many areas are still recovering due to wind damage and snowfall.

Cleveland-based National Weather Service meteorologist Marty Mullen says wind gusts from the storm passing through Thursday night into Friday morning reached 55 miles per hour near the Lake Erie shoreline with sustained winds of 20-30 miles per hour.

Mullen says areas in Ashtabula County received 10-12 inches of wet, heavy snow while temperatures hovered around freezing. Areas west of Cleveland reportedly received less than an inch.

Though wind advisories have been canceled, the air remains brisk.

Here is a real-time update as we follow the progress of the storm:

3:30 p.m. - Safety precautions

The city of Cleveland says roughly 200 people remain without power within its limits. Officials are aware of the issue and say power should be back on by the end of the day.

Residents are urged to take the following safety precautions:

Take personal precautions and check on the vulnerable

Dress appropriately in the cold

Don't block intersections

Bring pets/companion animals inside

Additionally, the Cleveland Office of Aging offers a 24-hour help line at (216) 664-2883.

Noon - Winter Storm Warning expires

The Winter Storm Warning for Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula counties has expired.

9 a.m. - Latest power outages

More than 73,000 are still without power and the estimated restoration time remains 8 p.m. Click here to see a full rundown of outages by county.

11:20 p.m. - Road condition check in Lake and Cuyahoga County

11:15 p.m. - Wind causing damage around Northeast Ohio

Cleveland Police put out the following statement advising residents to stay off the roads:

Due to numerous issues including downed trees, power wires and power outages, residents of and visitors to the city of Cleveland are advised to not travel unless absolutely necessary. Crews are out to clear streets and restore power at this time.

10:45 p.m. - FirstEnergy power outage update

Over 80,000 customers across Northeast Ohio are now without power. Here are the latest figures:

10:05 p.m. - The latest from WKYC Meteorologist Matt Wintz

Matt gave an extended weather update on WKYC's Facebook Live, including answers to some of your questions!

10:00 p.m. - How bad was the flooding earlier today? This bad

Facebook friend Kristin Hill-Horvath sent this video in to us from the Rye Beach neighborhood in Huron

9:45 p.m. - A look at road conditions on the east side

WKYC photojournalist Craig Roberson was out and about on Thursday evening as the severe weather makes its way into our area. He captured the following video in and around Richmond Town Square in Richmond Heights.

9:30 p.m. - Evacuation order lifted for residents on Riverside Drive in Vermilion

WKYC Channel 3's Chris Tye went to Vermilion, where the evacuation order has now been lifted for those living on Riverside Drive along the Vermilion River. Here's Chris' report on WKYC's Facebook Live:

9:00 p.m. - Photos and videos are coming in from the storm!

It's pretty brutal out there! Here's what some of our WKYC crew are dealing with:

Here's the photo gallery we have put together so far. Send us your pictures via Twitter at @wkyc and we'll add them to our collection.

PHOTOS | Winter storm hammers Northeast Ohio

From @kristyyounger in Parma

01 / 05

From @kristyyounger in Parma

01 / 05

8:35 p.m. - Power outages surge across the area

From Matt Wintz:

Over 50,000 customers without power in northeast Ohio due to these howling winds--number likely to grow as this heavy, wet snow continues to fall. Cuyahoga County leading the way with 13k, Lake and Lorain counties both with over 9k. #3weather#wkyc#firstenergy#poweroutage